Poor, lonely, little Miss Spider. All she wants to do is have her insect friends over for tea, but they are suspicious of her motives. After

all, spiders are known to lure other insects into their webs or even to ambush them from their hidden homes. So, as each passing insect is invited, they scurry away in fear, leaving Miss Spider bewildered. Then, in an unplanned act of kindness, she proves herself worthy of their friendship.

Miss Spider’s Tea Party can be read when you are talking about insects or when reading books by David Kirk. It has rhyming text and bright, full-page illustrations. For our lesson we are using the book for a counting activity as Miss Spider counts her visitors.

Reading Time

Begin these lesson plans on Miss Spider's Tea Party by reading the story aloud. Remember to use your best “spidery" voice! The text in this book lends itself to a dramatic reading. Read it through without stopping to maintain the flow.

Afterward, pose the following questions:

1. Why did the insects run away?

2. Do you think Miss Spider was trying to trick the insects?

3. How did Miss Spider feel when none of the insects accepted her invitation?

4. What happened to change their minds?

5. What lesson can you learn from this book about making friends?

Counting Activities

The next part of our lesson involves counting activities.

Activity #1 Materials:

Plastic Counters – You can purchase a tub of plastic insects to use as counters or use plastic chips. Be watchful of any students who have a tendency to put things in their mouths.

Drawing of a Teacup – You can cut some out of construction paper or find an image on the web and make enough copies for each pair of students

Sit students in pairs, in a circle on the floor around you. Place a pile of counters in the middle of the circle. Instruct every student to get six counters each. The pair of students will then have 12 counters all together. Ask the students to choose one counter to be the spider and put it on the cup drawing. Then have the students take turns moving the correct amount of counters as you read the book a second time.

For example, when you read, “Two timid beetles—Ike and May—crept from the woodwork that same day," students should add two beetles to the cup. Ask them how many are in the cup. Students will then take two away when you read, “They shrieked, 'Oh no!' and dashed away." How many do you have now?

The following day do a similar counting activity, but this time, students will do this alone and will be taking it a step farther using addition and subtraction. You will be making story problems with the insect theme and writing the number sentence on the board.

We will address three learning styles:

Auditory: You will say the problem and they will listen

Visual: You will write it on the board

Kinesthetic (Tactile): Moving and counting the counters

Seated at tables, students should have their 12 counters and the spider web paper. They should be able to see the board where you will write the number sentence. Say, "I’m going to tell you a story about Miss Spider and her friends. I want you to listen the first time and then I will read it again and write the numbers while I read. I want you to move the insects like the story says. Then I will ask you a question."

1. Miss Spider had a birthday party. She is in her web waiting for her friends. Then 3 of them arrive. Write: 1 + 3 =_____ Students should move the right amount of counters to the web. Ask: How many in all are in the web? Write: 1+3= 4